Scan barcode
A review by prouvaire
Five Ways to Forgiveness by Ursula K. Le Guin
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
i was hooked to read this collection when i stumbled on the quote about the nature of war and peace (which turned out to be on the very first page of the first story)
the plots are your usual le guin, meandering but pleasurable, often ending in soaring bittersweetness.
this collection is about the caste- and slavery-based society in planets werel and yeowe. le guin didn't disappoint in portraying the characters in a very real and human way. the main conflict, which was the abolishment of slavery and violent transformation of a racist society, could easily be unraveled simplistically, but was instead told with such heartfelt sympathy and gentleness. we all must live with what our ancestors have given us, and only by reckoning with that fact, we can change it.
i also liked the perspective changes and time jumps, it's a fun alternative way to the usual 'novel' way to tell a long form story about a subject
the plots are your usual le guin, meandering but pleasurable, often ending in soaring bittersweetness.
this collection is about the caste- and slavery-based society in planets werel and yeowe. le guin didn't disappoint in portraying the characters in a very real and human way. the main conflict, which was the abolishment of slavery and violent transformation of a racist society, could easily be unraveled simplistically, but was instead told with such heartfelt sympathy and gentleness. we all must live with what our ancestors have given us, and only by reckoning with that fact, we can change it.
i also liked the perspective changes and time jumps, it's a fun alternative way to the usual 'novel' way to tell a long form story about a subject